Somerset Council has been recognised as a leading employer for kinship carers as the first Local Authority in the UK to achieve Gold Kinship Friendly Employer status.
The award, presented by the charity Kinship, recognises employers that go above and beyond to support staff who are caring for children within their family or wider network, helping them balance their work and caring responsibilities.
Kinship carers are relatives, family friends or connected people who care for a child who is not their birth child, when their parents are unable to do so. They play a vital role in our communities by providing children with the stability and sense of belonging they need to thrive, while helping them maintain important family and community connections.
Somerset Council is the first Local Authority to reach this standard, reflecting its commitment to supporting carers and families across the county.
Somerset Council is also recognised as a Fostering Friendly Employer and is keen to encourage other local organisations to explore the benefits of becoming both fostering friendly and kinship friendly workplaces.
By offering practical support and flexibility, employers can help more people consider fostering and support existing fostering and kinship carers to continue providing stable homes for children and young people across Somerset.
Cllr Heather Shearer, Executive Member for Children, Families and Education, said:
We’re really proud to receive this award in recognition of the support we offer to our colleagues with caring responsibilities.
Kinship carers and foster carers make an extraordinary difference to the lives of children and young people across Somerset. They provide care, stability and support during some of the most challenging times in a child’s life.
As the first local authority in the country to achieve Gold Kinship Friendly Employer status, alongside being a Fostering Friendly Employer, we hope to inspire other organisations to follow suit.
Creating supportive workplaces benefits families and opens the door for more people to consider kinship or foster care, whilst also helping to strengthen communities and improve outcomes for children in care.
To learn more about becoming a kinship friendly employer visit kinship.org.uk.
To learn more about fostering and kinship care in Somerset visit fosteringinsomerset.org.uk.
